The Cholet Agglo Tour Stage 1 is a 197-kilometre hilly circuit race starting and finishing in Cholet, run as a 1.1-class one-day event on 3 October 2026. The hilly profile with a flat finish is a classic formula for a reduced bunch sprint or an opportunistic attacker surviving to the line, rewarding riders who combine solid hills ability with a sharp turn of speed. The absence of any prior stages means form coming in and recent results on similar terrain are the decisive inputs.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Alex Aranburu is simply in a class of his own in this field on hilly terrain. His win at stage 1 of the Bretagne Classic - CIC, combined with six further top-3s in similar racing recently, shows relentless consistency. He is the highest-rated hills rider in the startlist and Cofidis have the depth to protect him perfectly.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Alex Aranburu is the standout favorite here: he won stage 1 of the Bretagne Classic - CIC in similar-profile racing recently, and has racked up six top-3s and eight top-5s in comparable hilly races over the past 90 days. His hills profile is the highest in the field, and Cofidis will be fully committed to delivering him to Cholet in the best possible position.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Mathieu Burgaudeau and Axel Mariault represent the strongest threat to Aranburu. Burgaudeau's multiple top-10s in similar terrain and TotalEnergies' team strength make him a natural benchmark, while Mariault's recent win on the hilly stage 3 of the Tour de l'Ain proves he can close out results on exactly this kind of course.
CIC Pro Cycling
CIC Pro Cycling
Axel Mariault won stage 3 of the Tour de l'Ain recently on a similar hilly profile, demonstrating he can punch above his weight in this terrain. A strong recent campaign and well-rounded profile make him a genuine podium threat at this level.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Mathieu Burgaudeau carries the second-highest hills profile in the field and has been knocking on the door in similar races recently, collecting four top-10s in hilly terrain. TotalEnergies arrive in numbers and will have him well protected for the finale.
★★
Dark Horses
Clément Venturini, Mattéo Vercher, and Lukáš Kubiš are riders with credible recent records in comparable terrain who could capitalise on a day when the favourites neutralise each other. Venturini's top-3 and Vercher's podium finishes in similar races make both legitimate dark horses, while Kubiš brings additional sprint danger to round out a dangerous Unibet Rose trio.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Clément Venturini has a top-3 and four top-10s in similar-profile races over the last 90 days, showing consistent form on hilly terrain. Among the strongest hills profiles in the field, he gives Unibet Rose a credible card to play in the finish.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Lukáš Kubiš has two top-3s in similar-profile races recently to go with strong hills and sprint attributes, making him dangerous if a reduced bunch sprint develops. He is one of the more interesting value picks in the Unibet Rose line-up.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Mattéo Vercher is quietly consistent in hilly one-day racing, with a top-3 and three top-5s in similar conditions recently. He has a busy autumn programme and clearly comes here in good form.
★
Ones to Watch
Jenthe Biermans and Pierre Gautherat have demonstrated the strongest recent form among the outsiders, with Biermans collecting a top-3 for Cofidis and Gautherat amassing an impressive haul of top-5 finishes in similar terrain. Emilien Jeannière offers Cofidis a sprint fallback, and Bryan Coquard — fresh from a Vuelta stage win — reminds everyone that his finishing speed is still very much alive if the group arrives together.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Bryan Coquard won a stage at the Vuelta a España recently, confirming he retains finishing speed at the highest level. If the hills don't shatter the group, his sprint makes him a dangerous presence for Cofidis in any reduced bunch finish.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Emilien Jeannière has mixed hills ability with a sharp sprint, and notched a top-5 in a similar-profile race recently. If the finale ends in a bunch sprint after the hills thin the group, his finishing speed becomes very relevant.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Jenthe Biermans collected a top-3 and two top-5s in similar hilly racing in recent months, showing he can be a factor when the race comes down to a small group. He adds an extra work option for Cofidis alongside Aranburu.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Pierre Gautherat has been the most active rider in similar terrain over recent months, logging two top-3s and five top-5s without a win — persistence that makes him a genuine dark-horse outsider on the Cholet roads.
Verdict
Alex Aranburu is the clear top favourite, backed by a recent win at the Bretagne Classic and unmatched consistency in hilly terrain over the past 90 days. Mathieu Burgaudeau and Axel Mariault are the most credible challengers, with Clément Venturini and the Unibet Rose team adding further depth to what promises to be a competitive finale.